Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 464-8111
Editorial Review for Grauman's Chinese Theatre – by Kim Cooper
The Background
Sid Grauman's legendary theater began screening blockbusters in 1927. Architects Meyer and Holler produced a confection of Chinese fantasy, replete with dragons, temple dogs and soaring roofs. The renowned cement courtyard bears stars' footprints and accompanying inscriptions.
The Experience
The courtyard brims with a bustling crowd of visitors anxious to slip their hands and feet into the imprints of their favorite bygone stars. Few ever reach the lobby, where you can enjoy the atmosphere in a less hectic setting. The main theater is still a great place to see a movie, and the side theaters are adequate. When your eyes adjust to the hall's velvety darkness, you'll spy a fascinating blend of paintings and fixtures that lend the room an air of Eastern mystery.
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Insider Tips
Save MoneyAdult admission is $8.75 for the first screening every day.
ParkingSkip the street parking and head for the Hollywood & Highland garage (enter on Orange or Highland); it'll cost you $2 for four hours with validation.
Know Before You GoTake advantage of free ticket giveaways to TV show tapings. Look for clipboard-wielding folk in the late mornings and early afternoons.
User Reviews for Grauman's Chinese Theatre
11/23/2007 Posted by gychii
The Chinese Theatre is Hollywoood History. The fun outside is great to fill time before the movie. Inside, you'll find old Hollywood majesty. Concessions are generally pretty fast. Seating is amazing...take some time before the movie to sit and take it all in. If you can catch an opening expect a raucous crowd. I'd highly recommend you make some time for a movie here if you're from out of town.
Pros: Digitial picture
11/10/2007 Posted by ladolcevita1
We saw American Gangster at this theater the first weekend it opened. Century City, The Bridge and The Grove were sold out. I've lived in LA 5 years and thought why not? It's a beautiful theater and definitely worth seeing on maybe a Hollywood tour but for seeing a movie, what a nightmare. You'll spend 5 minutes admiring the decor and then when the movie started, my 6'2 boyfriend could not see the screen clearly over a woman in front of us who was not that tall or large. I totally have taken stadium seating for granted. I had to move because I couldn't see past her husband's head. To make matters worse it was a 2 hour 40 minute movie. We were both really annoyed and it really took away from our movie experience. I will never go to that theater again. Although, it's a beautiful theater it's just no where near up to the movie-going experience and comfortable viewing of stadium theaters.
Pros: beautiful theater
Cons: you can't see over the person's head in front of you, can't see, can't see, can't see!!!
